The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released its finalized Financial Institutions Net-Zero (FINZ) Standard, the first global framework to guide banks, asset owners, asset managers, insurers, and other financial institutions in aligning their lending, investing, insurance, and capital markets activities with net-zero emissions by 2050.
What Is the SBTi?
Launched in 2015, the…
California regulators have released a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to assist companies in preparing for the state’s upcoming mandatory climate disclosure requirements under two climate-related laws: the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and the Climate-Related Financial Risk Disclosure Act (SB 261).
What the FAQ Covers
SB…
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has released its Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard exposure draft, aimed at improving sustainability disclosures in industries including textile, apparel, footwear, and jewellery.
What’s Covered in the Draft
Scope: Targets companies in the textile, apparel, footwear, and jewellery sectors.
Material Topics: Proposes 18 key disclosures, including…
The UK has stepped forward with its draft sustainability and climate reporting standards, and while they mirror global frameworks, there’s a local flavor to how the UK is planning to roll things out.
On June 25, the UK government introduced:
UK SRS S1: General sustainability-related financial disclosures
UK SRS S2: Climate-related disclosures…
If you've ever felt like ESG reporting is a maze of overlapping frameworks, you're not alone. But the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) just dropped a major update that could help clear the path.
On June 26, GRI launched two new standards:
GRI 102: Climate Change
GRI 103: Energy
These aren’t minor tweaks. They…
In a strategic move to strengthen sustainability capabilities across sectors, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has officially launched the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge (SR BOK)—a national framework designed to guide training providers in delivering high-quality, globally aligned sustainability reporting programmes.
This initiative marks a major step in aligning Singapore’s sustainability education ecosystem…
The European Commission is preparing a sweeping update to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), introducing a new wave of subsidies aimed at promoting water-efficient farming across the continent.
Amid growing concerns over drought and water scarcity, the upcoming CAP revision will include targeted support to help farmers adapt to climate pressures while protecting Europe’s vital…
In a major move aimed at balancing environmental integrity with economic practicality, the European Union is moving forward with changes to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that will ease compliance burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) while continuing to cover 99% of import-related CO₂ emissions.
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has endorsed the…
A new set of Harmonized Circular Economy Finance Guidelines has been launched to close a persistent gap between businesses and financial institutions when it comes to investing in circular economy initiatives. Despite growing interest, many companies continue to underestimate the financial potential of circular practices, while investors face uncertainty over what qualifies as a fundable…
In a significant regulatory shift, the European Union has introduced updated enforcement guidelines to ensure sustainability disclosures are supervised with the same rigour as financial reporting. Effective 1 January 2025, national regulators across the EU will implement a harmonised enforcement approach under the Transparency Directive.
The guidelines outline how regulators should:
Select companies for…
New York State is setting a bold new standard in climate leadership. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a landmark $1 billion Sustainable Future Program as part of the FY 2026 Enacted Budget—marking the largest climate and sustainability investment in state history.
Strategic Climate Investments
The Sustainable Future Program will invest over $1 billion to…
EU Sustainability Rules Under Review: A Critical Moment for ESG Transparency
The European Commission’s ongoing review of corporate sustainability disclosure requirements has triggered significant debate among investors, regulators, and sustainability advocates. Proposed amendments aimed at easing regulatory pressures on European businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—have been met with mixed reactions.
While the initiative seeks to…
